Juventus Transfers: Mohamed Ihattaren joins Ajax on loan
Ajax have signed Dutchman Mohamed Ihattaren on loan from Juventus.
Ihattaren was a surprise deadline day move from Juve last summer before the club shipped him out to Sampdoria in a loan deal that was supposed to last until the end of the 2021/22 campaign. However, a rather horrendous spell in Liguria ensued as the former PSV starlet failed to make a single appearance during his time at the club.
It was evident that Ihattaren would not be returning to Samp in the new year which left Juventus needing to find another suitor for the 19-year-old.
Ihattaren’s hometown club, FC Utrecht, registered an interest in taking the player on loan but they weren’t able to finance the move. Fortunately, Ajax then emerged as a possibility for the teenager.
Mohamed Ihattaren has joined Ajax on loan from Juventus
Ajax’s sporting director Marc Overmars and manager Erik ten Hag are said to have been charmed by Ihattaren in the past and after holding “positive talks” with the player and his entourage earlier this month, the Dutch giants opted to pursue a move.
Ajax confirmed the loan signing of Ihattaren on Sunday evening, adding: “The lease has a term of almost one year, up to and including December 31, 2022. An option to purchase the player is included in the agreement.”
Overmars, meanwhile, labelled Ihattaren as “one of the greatest talents” that the Netherlands has to offer before acknowledging his recent lack of action – including his final days at PSV.
“With us, he will continue to work on his fitness at Jong Ajax,” the club’s director added. “There he can then show that he is still the good player that we know. I am very curious. We offer him this opportunity and we are going to help him, but of course, it starts with himself and he knows that.”
There’s no doubting that Ihattaren is in the perfect environment to fulfil his potential following a difficult couple of years.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if we never see the teenager don the black and white of Juventus.